Jennifer Schalk Dickinson, CPA

04/29/2026

https://www.cnbc.com/2026/04/29/tax-withholding-2026.html

This free IRS tax withholding tool makes it easier update your paycheck. But not everyone should use it, experts say.

02/10/2026

Friends! My general book of business is full! I am not accepting any new clients for right now. I will post availability when some comes open. Thank you to all my wonderful clients!! You guys are the best!

10/14/2025

08/19/2025

👏 Let’s celebrate our amazing educators!

Where are my teacher clients? It's a new school year and I thought this would be a good time to remind you about this great Arkansas tax deduction!

📚✏️🍎 School spirit meets tax relief! 🎉

Want to give a well-deserved shout-out to Arkansas teachers? 🙌 Act 666 of 2017, authored as HB 1014 and championed by Rep. Greg Leding, introduced the Teacher’s Classroom Investment Deduction.

👩‍🏫👨‍🏫 It lets K-12 educators deduct up to $500 (or $1,000 for joint filers are both teachers) of their own money spent on:
📘 Books
🖍️ Supplies (including athletic equipment)
💻 Computer gear
🍪 Even snacks and clothing for students!

…all from their state income tax, starting in tax year 2017. ✅

It’s a tangible way Arkansas says THANK YOU 💖 to teachers for going above and beyond—often with their own dollars—to create enriching, creative learning environments. 🌟

**You must keep all receipts to claim the deduction!!!

For Federal deductions, here is Topic no. 458, Educator expense deduction directly from the IRS:

If you're an eligible educator, you can deduct up to $300 ($600 if married filing jointly and both spouses are eligible educators, but not more than $300 each) of unreimbursed trade or business expenses. Qualified expenses are amounts you paid or incurred for participation in professional development courses, books, supplies, computer equipment (including related software and services), other equipment, and supplementary materials that you use in the classroom. For courses in health or physical education, the expenses for supplies must be for athletic supplies. Qualified expenses also include the amounts for personal protective equipment, disinfectant, and other supplies used for the prevention of the spread of coronavirus. This deduction is for expenses paid or incurred during the tax year. You claim the deduction on Form 1040, Form 1040-SR, or Form 1040-NR (attach Schedule 1 (Form 1040) PDF).

You're an eligible educator if, for the tax year you're a kindergarten through grade 12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal or aide for at least 900 hours a school year in a school that provides elementary or secondary education as determined under state law.

Qualified expenses are deductible only to the extent the amount of such expenses exceed the following amounts for the tax year:

*The interest on series EE and I U.S. savings bonds that you exclude from income because you paid qualified higher education expenses,
*Any distribution from a qualified state tuition program that you exclude from income,
*Any tax-free withdrawals from your Coverdell education savings accounts,
*Any reimbursements you receive for expenses that aren't reported to you in box 1 of your Form W-2.

Send a message to learn more

08/13/2025

🚗✨ Big News for Car Buyers! — No Tax on Car Loan Interest

Starting in 2025, thanks to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (signed into law on July 4, 2025), taxpayers can now claim a brand-new above-the-line deduction on auto loan interest—even if you don’t itemize! Here's the rundown:

** What You Can Deduct**

Deduct up to $10,000 per year in interest paid on auto loans.

It's an “above-the-line” deduction, which means it reduces your taxable income directly, regardless of whether you itemize or take the standard deduction.

** Vehicle Must Meet These Criteria**

Must be new and purchased for personal use (not commercial or fleet vehicles).

Assembled in the U.S. (check the Monroney sticker or VIN—vehicles with VINs starting with 1, 4, or 5 typically qualify).

** Income Limits & Phase-Out**

Full deduction available if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) is up to $100,000 (single) or $200,000 (married filing jointly).

Beyond that, the deduction phases out: expect a $200 reduction for every $1,000 over the listed thresholds.

** Timeline & Scope**

Effective for auto loans originated after December 31, 2024.

This deduction applies from tax years 2025 through 2028.

** What to Know**

Refinanced loans may still qualify if the original loan met requirements. The IRS is expected to issue more guidance soon.

Keep track of your VIN and interest statements—lenders may need to report interest (via forms like 1098), and you’ll need records when filing.

While a great perk, experts note that most buyers won’t get the full $10,000 benefit—typically the savings are a few hundred dollars yearly. But still...savings are savings!

Bottom Line: If you're buying a new vehicle assembled in the U.S., financed after 12/31/2024, and your income qualifies—this is a sweet tax break worth tracking. Remember: it's temporary (2025–2028), so don't miss it!

The official IRS news release detailing the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, including the "No Tax on Car Loan Interest" provision, can be found here:
https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/one-big-beautiful-bill-act-of-2025-provisions

⏱ Share to help others know—and tag anyone you're car shopping with!

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act has a significant effect on your taxes, credits and deductions.

08/07/2025

How I now explain "write offs" to clients :)

08/04/2025

See the Deduction for Seniors section!

A new tax deduction for seniors is in effect starting this year. This means eligible taxpayers 65 and older may claim an additional deduction of $6,000 over the current additional standard deduction for seniors. See: https://ow.ly/A71K50Wq966

03/25/2025

https://katv.com/news/local/arkansas-residents-urged-to-obtain-real-id-before-may-7-deadline-flights-government-building-travel-legal-residence-identity-social-security-number-drivers-license-

After being pushed back by the federal government numerous times, it seems this Real ID deadline might stick, and it is quickly approaching.On May 7, everyone

03/10/2025

Not sure if you need to file a tax return? Even if you're not required to, you may still want to file to claim tax benefits. There are different factors in each situation that determine whether you should file.

Find out if you need to file a tax return at https://ow.ly/1uCW50UZ0iR.

01/22/2025

When you try to do your taxes without help... and the calculator just laughs at you. 🤦‍♂️

Tax season doesn't have to be a comedy of errors! 😅

Let me take the ‘tax’ out of ‘taxing’! I’ll file for you so you can get back to doing literally anything else. 📄➡️💸

Click here, breathe easy, and file your taxes the easy way! ✔️

01/08/2025

Do you make estimated tax payments?

reminds self-employed and others making estimated tax payments of the fourth quarter deadline on January 15. More info here: https://ow.ly/LqRP50UBiAL